Information for Presenters

Information for Graduate Students, Faculty, and Others Presenting in Formal Paper or Research in Progress Sessions

These guidelines are for presenters in regular sessions (formal paper or research in progress paper sessions), to help you prepare to present your paper at PSA.

Length of Presentations:

The amount of time you have for presenting depends on how many papers are in your 90 minute session. Please keep in mind that it takes time to transition from paper to paper, including accessing any powerpoint presentations you have, and that you need to leave time for questions. The Presider will have to cut off presenters who go beyond their allotted time.

It is best to take questions after all have presented, rather than after individual presentations, to ensure ample time for all papers to be heard.

Session Information:

Each session has both an Organizer and a Presider. The Organizer is the person who put the session together; they may or may not be present at the session itself. The Presider is a volunteer, often one of the presenters from the session, who is responsible for helping the session run smoothly–reminding presenters of time guidelines, usually introducing each presenter, and also communicating with PSA if there are any technology or other problems. If for some reason the Presider does not show up, someone else will need to take on these tasks.

Technology:

PSA provides a fairly new LCD projector with SVGA, USB, and HDMI inputs and connector cords, as well as a screen. These projectors may not connect well with older laptops, or laptops running unusual software—and many smaller devices such as tablets do not have the necessary ports to connect to the projector. A limited supply of special Mac connectors are available for checkout at the PSA Registration area, but the variety of Mac connectors changes quickly and they tend to be quite expensive, so we may not have the right one for your device. The projectors typically automatically link to a laptop once they are correctly connected and powered up. Someone in each session needs to bring a laptop; all presenters who can are encouraged to bring a laptop, as this provides more backups in case of an unexpected absence or issue with a laptop that will not connect well with the projector. If you will use slides or other projected files as part of your presentation, bring it on a thumb drive (even if you bring your own laptop). It works best if all presenters share one laptop and preload their files to this laptop prior to the start of the session. An emergency loaner laptop is available for checkout at the PSA Registration area–and must be brought back immediately after the session!

PSA does not provide wifi in meeting rooms unless a presenter has requested it–it is just too expensive! Any special technology/other requests must have been made along with paper submission.

Membership and Registration:

If you have not already paid, please do so as soon as possible. Registration cost will increase by $15 for late/onsite registration. Pre-registering helps PSA to plan for the conference—to order appropriate conference materials as well as food and beverages for receptions. Pre-registered attendees can check in very quickly at the conference, while those who have not paid appropriate fees will need to wait in line.

Most presenters need to pay both membership and registration, but there are a few exceptions. You can find full information here: http://pacificsoc.org/membership

A few special speakers, invited by the President, do not have to pay membership and registration. If you are one of these folks, we have your information and will have a badge ready for you to pick up at the PSA Registration area. Also, if you are a student who will be volunteering (and have received an email from Volunteer Coordinator Tina Burdsall to confirm your time slot!) then you will be given complimentary registration and membership as a thank you.

Information for Students Presenting in Undergraduate Roundtable or Poster Sessions

Roundtable Sessions Roundtable sessions are organized thematically. These sessions provide undergraduate students an opportunity to present completed research in a semiformal setting. A faculty or advanced graduate student discussant will preside over each session. Once a student paper has been accepted for presentation, you will be instructed to send a completed copy of your research to the discussant for review. Discussants will provide constructive feedback to students regarding issues associated with but not limited to the quality of the writing, literature review, the research methodology, and conclusions.

Typically, about seven roundtables run at the same time, in a large ballroom. Look for the table designated for your topical area. You and usually four or five other students in your roundtable will have approximately 15 minutes each to present your research. Once all presentations have been made you will have an opportunity to receive feedback, ask questions, and have general discussion.

No technology is provided for roundtables! You do want to come with a prepared presentation, so that you are organized and ready to share the important points of your paper. You should not simply read your paper. If you have data you need to show your tablemates, you may want to bring a few handouts or printed material with graphic representations. Do not bring a large poster.

Although people who want to hear the presentations of undergraduate students at the roundtables are welcome to come and stand around the table (or sit if there is space), the focus is for the student presenters to be in conversation with each other and their discussant, rather than presenting to any larger audience. Listeners are asked to just listen, unless they are invited to join in the discussion at the end of the session.

Poster Sessions Poster presentations are very informal. There is no discussant assigned to your poster session, and you will not get faculty feedback regarding your research. There are no required guidelines or formats to follow. Here are two example Poster templates. You will have a maximum of 4 X 8 feet of space to present information about your research. Think about how you will bring your poster and keep it free of creases. When you arrive at the session location, you may choose where to hang your poster. PSA will provide boards and tacks for you to hang your paper. Then you need to stand by your poster, explaining your work and answering any questions to people who come by to see it. Poster sessions are held in high traffic areas to encourage attendees to come and talk with you. Most visitors to the poster session will want to roam through and look at various posters, so they will likely spend just a few minutes with you before moving on.

Although it is great for your friends to come and visit your poster, you want to make sure that you are available to talk with other folks. It is okay if you have some moments of just standing there, waiting; that is often a cue to visitors that it is a good time to come talk with you.

Membership and Registration

If you have not already paid, please do so as soon as possible. Registration cost will increase by $15 for late/onsite registration. Pre-registering helps PSA to plan for the conference—to order appropriate conference materials as well as food and beverages for receptions. Pre-registered attendees can check in very quickly at the conference, while those who have not paid appropriate fees will need to wait in line.

Most presenters need to pay both membership and registration, but there are a few exceptions. You can find full information here: http://pacificsoc.org/membership

If you are a student who will be volunteering (and have received an email from Volunteer Coordinator Tina Burdsall to confirm your time slot!) then you will be given complimentary registration and membership as a thank you.